I Read Signs, by Tana Hoban (paperback)

“Come in We're Open!” This book contains various signs that children see in their daily lives. It is a great way to connect literacy with children's experiences.

Harper Trophy, 1987

Oh No, Gotta Go! by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

A little girl and her parents go out driving, but soon after they leave home she needs to go! This bilingual book presents a common childhood experience that will certainly make its readers smile.

G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2003

Snow Bears,by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Sara Fox-Davies

Mommy bear plays games in the snow with her three baby bears who pretend to be snow bears. Children will love imitating the three little bears, and enjoy looking at the soft illustrations.

Candlewick, 2003

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! by Lucille Colandro, illustrated by Jared Lee (paperback)

This cold lady swallowed snow, a pipe and many other things, but why? The rhyming and repeated text along with the bright and cartoon-like illustrations will attract children's attention. They will also be amused by the surprising ending.

Scholastic, 2003

Down by the Station , written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand (paperback)

The words to this folk song tell the cheerful story of baby animals getting on a train and “off they go.” The beautiful, vivid illustrations tell another story about where they are going. This is an amusing book with joyful noises that encourages its readers' imaginations.

Voyager, 1999

Let's Go! Written and illustrated by Jane Chapman

With die-cut, tiered pages, this board book presents the cumulative story of numerous trucks and buses. Children can imagine riding in them while they read, touch and point to the illustrations.

Candlewick, 2003

Miss Mouse Takes Off , written and illustrated by Jan Ormerod

Miss Mouse, a stuffed animal, goes on a plane trip with a little girl and her mother. Who are they visiting? The vivid illustrations invite children's curiosity, and will prompt children to tell about their own travel adventures.

HarperCollins, 2001

The Seals on the Bus , by Lenny Hort, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (paperback)

Animals and people go on a bus trip all around the town, very loudly in this parody of The Wheels on the Bus . This is a great read-aloud book for a group of children. They will happily imitate the animal noises all around the room.

Henry Holt, 2000 [paperback edition, 2003]

Send It! , written and illustrated by Don Carter

In this story, a package goes on an adventure, traveling in a variety of vehicles. In simple text and bright illustrations, this book presents young transportation fans with a collection of their favorite machines and an easy way to learn about how mail travels.

Millbrook, 2003

Two Little Trains , by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Leo and Diane Dillon (paperback)

Two little trains, one streamlined, one old, are Chug, Chug, Chugging to the West. The lyric text tells of their adventure; and the soft illustrations tell another part of the two little trains' story, making this book an even more enjoyable one.

Harper Trophy, 2001

Duck in the Truck , written and illustrated by Jez Alborough (paperback)

This is a fun book that tells a story about a duck who gets his truck stuck in the muck and then meets a frog, a sheep, and a goat to help him get back on track. The patterned, rhythmic text makes for a fun read aloud.

HarperCollins, 2000

Good Night Engines , by Denise Dowling Mortensen, illustrated by Melissa Iwai

Even though this is a construction story all about engines, the lyric text and the gentle illustration also make it a great bed time book. The reader can observe that the child who likes to play trucks, jets and trains is calming down as the engines hum, stop and rest.

Clarion, 2003

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel , story and pictures by Virginia Lee Burton (paperback / also available in other languages and audio cassette)

Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne had been digging together for years until the new gasoline, electric, and Diesel motor shovels come along. This classic book presents a warm, sweet story that is great to share with children on any day. Children who have read Katy and the Big Snow will enjoy another of Virginia Lee Burton's stories.

Houghton Mifflin, 1939

This Truck , written and illustrated by Paul Collicutt

This brightly illustrated book introduces a variety of trucks, from the very small to the enormous. It will be cherished by all little truck lovers.

Farrar Straus Giroux, 2004

Tough Trucks , by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Ant Parker

This book with simple text and vivid illustrations presents information about trucks and their drivers. Children will enjoy learning the parts of their favorite trucks (cabs, rigs, pistons) and what truck drivers do when they are on trips.

Kingfisher, 2003